Potty Training Abbi

Abigail awoke thing morning, with a sweet tooth. After getting up she went straight for the raw honey sitting on the counter. My camera was right next to her and I couldn't help myself but snap these pictures. :)

Eating raw honey isn't the only thing this little princess has been up to. She is in the process of Potty training and Potty training OH SO WELL!! I am SOOOO proud of her!! *HUGE grin* After coming in the bathroom Monday night, holding herself and telling me she has to go potty and actually going potty when I set her on the potty I finally decided I needed to start potty training her and no longer putting it off like I have been. That night, after Abbi went to bed I asked Jonathan to bring in the potty from the garage as I planned on starting the potty training process the next morning. So when she awoke, I asked her if she had to go potty. She said "Yes - in that one!" pointing to her new potty. I set her on the potty, which she did not go but she did sit for several minutes. I believe she already went in her diaper upon waking up. (she was awake in her bed a while before I went to get her). Afterward I put her in "big girl" panties and would frequently remind her to go to the potty. She did GREAT for day one..with ONLY 2 accidents! Both times she wet, she would tell me "Mommy... potty!" But it was too late. :) No matter I thought.. it is only day 1. I was SO proud of her! Today was day 2 and she had ONE accident - which was first thing this morning. I believe she just needed to be reminded that she is now going "teetee" in the potty and no longer has a diaper on. That was her one and only accident today. She took herself potty faithfully all day. Wait - did I say I was potty training Abbi? Sorry - Abbi potty trained herself! AMAZINGLY easy - when THEY are ready! *BIG SMILE - PROUD MOMMY - PAT ON ABBI'S BACK*

Too Quiet

Jonathan and the girls went out shopping tonight - I am home alone and it is just too quiet around here. He took the girls out for a bit, so I can get my "oh so lovely" taxes done. It was nice to have the peace and quiet so I can get my work done, but now that it's done - I miss them. Hopefully they will show up soon!:)

Ok.. where was I on my last post? Ahh yes - we were supposed to get a snow storm - and that we did. It turned into a blizzard. The above picture to the right is outside my backyard window. Underneath the "peak" of snow, it is our air condition unit. The wind blew 5 and 6 foot drifts in some places. Emma got to go do a bit of sledding with her cousin Jared and she was thrilled! During the blizzard there was nothing to do, but pray that the electricity doesn't do out, and sleep! Which is what Jonathan and Abigail was doing when daddy got home from work. She didn't have a nap that day. When I asked her if she was ready for her nap she said "no - I pay (play) with Emma". She was indeed playing with Emma and they were having too much fun. So I let her nap go and by the time daddy came home from work - she couldn't hardly stand. She was quick to take Daddy's invitation on his lap, and before long they were both out! -- YYYAAAYYY my babies are home! :)

Winter Storm Watch

Up until about 3 weeks ago most people were "complaining" that it just didn't feel like Winter. Around Christmas time everyone wanted to see snow. For the last week, we have had bitter cold weather. For people living even more North & NE of us, this may not seem too extreme but it does to us. We have had single digit weather by day, and negative degrees by night. Emma's school was cancelled all last week, due to the cold weather and too much snow blowing across the roads deeming the roads unsafe. Now, we are under a Winter storm watch from Monday evening until Wends. morning. So it looks like we are going to get MORE snow. We have had snow covered grounds for almost a month now. It doesn't get a chance to melt before the next batch comes along. The girls have had fun the few times they have been out in it but Emma is already talking about Summer and swimming - going to the beach (2 Summers ago we went to Lake Michigan and she still remembers that) running through the sprinkler and all the fun things she remembers doing this past Summer. She also misses the neighbor kids that would come over and swim with her. Summer is good - we can't wait. :)

Today, I made a DELICIOUS Apple pie. I have tried many "simple" Apple Pie recipes and something always seemed to be missing. Just ask my honey - he is my biggest and BEST critic! :) This one hit the spot. Jonathan and the girls just loved it. It was so simple to make. I found the recipe on www.allrecipes.com

You can find the recipe by clicking here:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/American-Apple-Pie/Detail.aspx


This is definitely a keeper, one I will make over and over again - especially in the Fall when apples are plentiful.

Soaking/Sprouting Whole Grains

I can't believe it's been almost a week since I have last blogged. My only excuse is "Nourishing Traditions" a book by Sally Fallon; one I find of GREAT value! I purchased this book about a week ago and I can't hardly put it down, thus not finding the time to blog. :D In this book she stresses the importance of soaking and sprouting your grains, plus so much more! It's a book over 600 pgs. so I could never cover everything she talks about. There are also some very delicious sounding recipes. (I can't say they are delicious as I have not yet tried any) I have been too busy feeding on the different health topics she covers. There is a very sensible reasoning behind the importance of soaking your grains. If you would like to learn more I believe you will find the following links very helpful and self-explanatory.

This first link is about soaking your grain. I will keep my recipe, as I have great success with it, but I will surely start to implement the "soaking" method.

http://www.suegregg.com/about/Two%20Stage%20Process.pdf

The 2nd link is about "sprouting" your grains. This is good when making cookies and such, as soaking would not be feasible.

http://www.suegregg.com/about/Sprouted%20Breads.pdf

Right now, I must stop typing and get off the computer as the girls I babysit will be arriving in a few. :)